Gun sales continue to rise in Ottawa, Allegan counties

Since 2007, people authorized to carry concealed weapons have killed 471 people, including 14 law enforcement officers, in a total of 22 non-self-defense shooting incidents, according to the Violence Policy Center. In 2011 in Grand Rapids, Ronald Dantzler killed seven before taking his own life using a stolen semi-automatic handgun.

Thursday's workplace shooting in Minneapolis, which killed five and wounded four people is the sixth such gun-related mass murder this year.

Meanwhile, the NRA is repeating a plan used during the last presidential campaign four years ago, spending millions in ads depicting Barack Obama as planning to deconstruct the Second Amendment, which ensures Americans the right to bear arms. An investigative report by Mother Jones magazine this year shows that the number of deaths and injuries attributed to mass shootings has risen sharply since, while none of 60 cases over 30 years were stopped by an armed civilian.

Since 2007, people authorized to carry concealed weapons have killed 471 people, including 14 law enforcement officers, in a total of 22 non-self-defense shooting incidents, according to the Violence Policy Center. In 2011 in Grand Rapids, Ronald Dantzler killed seven before taking his own life using a stolen semi-automatic handgun.

A recent Gallop poll revealed that 45 percent of Americans have a gun in the home — the most since 1993.

Michigan residents need a license to purchase a pistol and have 10 days to make a purchase once the license issued. Those who want to carry the weapon must apply for and be granted a concealed pistol license (often called a concealed-carry weapon). A concealed pistol license, which is good for five years, serves as a license to purchase a pistol.

Here are some figures on permits to purchase guns for a one-year period from Allegan and Ottawa counties. Holland's Department of Public Safety issued 139 licenses to purchase between Jan. 1 and July 31.